Alpacas, Santas, and Steam Trains.

Ten more days until Christmas! Today we find ourselves snowbound; hunkered down with over a foot of snow, staying in our pjs all day, and watching the birds anxiously grip the feeders in hopes of catching every last morsel.

We've kept busy these past two weekends, as part of our (or my) effort to make the most out of every single second of this holiday season.  Last weekend, we had our annual picture with Santa and friends at the Bath Animal Hospital.  Let's recap.  This is our fourth year doing so, as we started when you were just seven months old.  We go with your buddy Nolan, and we bring Gabby and he brings Buckley, and we amuse the workers of this vet, as they've watched you two little boys grow from babes uncertain on Santa's knees, to grown up little boys who are (thankfully!) all smiles.  Here were the results:

I love how when Santa asked what you wanted, you said, "a butterfly net."  I have no idea where that came from, but it sounded sweet and sincere and utterly charming.  

Sunday, we visited a local greenhouse that was hosting an alpaca event.  Who knew Alpacas could be so festive? But you loved meeting them, we both loved touching them, and it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.  At this greenhouse, we also bought two giant pinecones, slathered them peanut butter and then rolled them in birdseed to hang for our feathered friends.  

And then there's the way you make friends with every animal you find.  Somehow you found this greenhouse kitty and made friends instantly.  I love that about you.  

Fast forward to a week of work and school and the weekend is once again here.  Frigid temperatures for the past several days have made for alot of time spent indoors.  We remedied that yesterday when we took our second annual trip to the North Pole via the Boothbay Rail Village.  It was a gorgeous day.  We already had a blanket of snow covering the ground, so the sun reflecting off made for a sparkly, crystal clear day.  Perfect for a train ride.  The frosty temps continued as we waited inside the little train 'station' and even once inside the train itself.  But that didn't deter you from dictating your letter to Santa...for which you once again asked for a butterfly net.

Soon we heard the chuff chuff of the engine and it was time board. I gotta say, love the steam train, but I'm pretty sure they promised warmth and there just wasn't any to be had.  That's ok, you didn't seem to mind, as you clutched Pooh and watched out the windows in wonder.

Our train arrived to the North Pole, and we were ushered in for cookies and cocoa. A story was read, a few selfies of you and me, and Santa appeared, providing yet another photo op.  

Then a few more 'together' shots :).

Soon enough, we boarded back on the train to go.  You insisted Pooh get his own seat.

While we waited for our friends to come back from their train ride, we explored the grounds.

And so that brings us to today.  We were supposed go on yet another train ride, this time from Bath to Wiscasset, with Santa, the elves, and more cocoa and cookies.  It's called the Candy Cane Train and I bought the tickets ages ago, eagerly anticipating what I think would be a gorgeous train ride, especially with snow.  Alas, waking up to nearly a foot of snow did not make me eager enough to go on the train.  So we missed it this year, maybe next year we'll try again.

Instead, we've stayed in our pj's, watched Christmas shows, and are attempting a gingerbread house. (The latter is still a work in progress.) I'm also fighting a nasty cold and you have a few sniffles too so it's just as well we make our own cocoa, admire our tree, and watch the snow fall.  

Ten more days, my sweet...ten more.

Hang your pantookas.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and the countdown to Christmas is on.  The holiday season has officially begun! Of course, if you ask retailers, it began two months ago, but in this house, it began on Thursday.

Thanksgiving was late this year, which means that when all said and done, less than a month of holiday madness before the big day.  Our Thanksgiving was quiet and delightful. We spent it at Grammie and Grampie's house--just us two since Daddy had to prepare for opening at midnight.  We got there early and stayed late.  Grammie had snacks all throughout the day, and we grazed until the turkey made its debut sometime in mid-afternoon.  

The first thing you wanted to do was watch 'Rudolph' with Grampie. Following my own tradition of watching them with him, it's now your turn.  You're obsessed with the Grinch who you affectionately call "Mister Grinch", but that hadn't been on yet, so you made do with Ruldolph.  You did some helping in the kitchen and some helping yourself to the spinach dip Grammie made. It was reaaaally good.

When you weren't chowing on snacks, you were upstairs setting up the 'camp' that G&G had made for you.  Your own little bed, sleeping bag, and plenty of 'friends' to hang out with.  Took you awhile to warm up to it, but eventually you gave in to the comfy.

Grammie made an awesome potato leek soup which I'm pleased you tried, liked, and ate the entire bowl of.  You also like rolls. A lot.

Soon it was time to take our leave.  You went the whole day without a snooze, and we weren't even to the highway when I looked back and you were passed out.  I had to pull over to fix your little carseat strap.  The turkey coma officially set in.

Friday brought a beautiful day for us to take advantage of.  Having worked all night, Daddy needed to get some more uninterrupted sleep, so off we went to the Festival of Trees at the Kora Shrine in Lewiston.  We've gone the past couple years and it's a sight to behold!  We got there right at opening, which meant we were the third kid in line to see Santa.  You said you wanted to see Santa.  I was skeptical.  We have not had good luck with Santa the past couple years.  That did seem to change this summer though, when we visited Santa's Village and you blew us away giving Santa a high five AND a hug.  But that was like eons ago, and I thought it'd be a stretch to imagine you would be ok with going near Santa, let alone sitting on his lap.

You proved me wrong, my sweet boy.  When it was your turn, you went right up and when he asked you what you wanted for Christmas, you nonchalantly replied "All the toys."  Sounds about right.  This bodes well for our annual picture with Santa, Gabby, you, Nolan and Buckley which happens next week. Stay tuned!

After Santa's visit, you got to go 'fishing' for a present. A few lessons with Daddy this summer proved valuable as it only took you two tries to hook and reel in!

The rest of our time was spent exploring the exquisitely decorated trees and eating popcorn.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday.

The Friday night after Thanksgiving is always the tree lighting.  It's a cute townie thing to do, made fun by the arrival of Santa by firetruck. Cookies, cocoa, and horse drawn wagon rides.  So much fun.  

After the tree lighting, we came home to anxiously anticipate your favorite holiday classic thus far--the cartoon version (of course!) of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  I think we've only watched it about 37 times since Friday night.  It's a favorite of Grampie's, mine and now yours.  You even sing the song, which is sort of hilarious because when you don't know the words you simply say, "Something, something...Mr. Grinch!"  As kids, your aunt Meara, Grampie and I would crack up at the Trim the Tree song.  "Hang your pantookas on the ceiling...pile panpoonas on the floor..." and so forth.  Glad to see the tradition lives on.

Saturday we had, as you called it, a very busy day.  Playground, hike with Gabby, Target to return, not purchase!, and finally a couple of wreathes for the doors.  You needed to have a good snooze because we were heading to Freeport for the horse and wagon ride there. So much fun.  The Clydesdale's that are used are impressive beasts.  Apparently this is their 6th year doing so.  They are 9 years old.  Gentle giants for sure.

Freeport is a magical little village at Christmastime. It's so beautifully decorated as you constantly stated.  "Look at all the pretty decoration!"  

And so this first real weekend of the holiday season was pretty wonderful.  We have so much to look forward to in the coming weeks.  More Santa sightings, pictures, train rides, tree decorating, and maybe some festive snow to make it all come together.   I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am just through watching your delight and joy.